Skip to content
piano.org
A piano reference: chords, scales, theory & ear training.
/

Key of G

The key of G major has 1 sharp (F♯). Its seven notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F♯. Its relative minor is E Minor, which shares the same notes and key signature. The chords that belong to the key are I G major, ii A minor, iii B minor, IV C major, V D major, vi E minor, vii° F♯ diminished. Its dominant is D major and its subdominant is C major — the keys it most naturally moves toward. Keys built on sharps, like G major, are traditionally described as bright and brilliant.

Key Signature

The notes of the G Major come from G Major, so it carries that key signature: 1 sharp (F♯).

F♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

FCGDAEB

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Relative minor: E Minor scale — same notes, same key signature, different home note.

Chords in the Key of G Major

Every major key is built from seven diatonic chords — one on each note of the scale. In G major they are I G Major, ii A Minor, iii B Minor, IV C Major, V D Major, vi E Minor, and vii° F♯ Diminished. Tap any chord to light it up on the keyboard.

C1C2C3C4GBC5DC6C7C8
IG Major (major)

Common chord progressions in G major

  • I – IV – VGCDthe three primary chords
  • I – V – vi – IVGDECthe most common pop progression
  • ii – V – IADGthe backbone of jazz
  • I – vi – IV – VGECDthe classic doo-wop turnaround

Everything in the key of G

Every chord, scale, and mode in G — click any link for the full interactive page with piano diagrams, audio, notation, and fingerings.

G Chords

G Scales

G Modes